Inculcating CSR into your organization and businesses

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Baguio-Benguet Chapter, Inc. is now taking the initiative to spark interest among members on the matter of CSR. It is the firm belief of the officers and Board of Directors should be one of the catalysts for development changes, thus, it endeavors to create awareness among its members on the all true meaning and value of corporate social responsibility. And this article is but one effort of this column towards that end.

At the outset, let me briefly discuss what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) all about. It’s meaning and importance not only for companies, nonprofit organizations, employees but likewise to you as an individual. Some if not majority of us, particularly those big companies has already undertaken and infused the CSR programs and activities into their respective agencies.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a far-reaching term used to describe a company’s efforts to improve society in some way. These efforts can range from donating money to nonprofits to implementing environmentally-friendly policies in the workplace.

Moreover, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aligns business operations with social values. It integrates the interests of stake holders – all of these are affected by a company’s conduct – into the organization’s strategies and actions. CSR focuses on the social, environment and financial success of a company.

Corporate social responsibility is not a mandated practice; instead, it is something extra that companies do to improve their local and global communities.

Engaging into a business activities should not be all for profit. While that is the primary consideration, there is other parallel significance that should motivate entrepreneurs in carrying out their goals. Business people and entrepreneurs alike in this City shall infuse CSR activities that promote not only for profit but also commitment to social and environment development. With this, it helps improve its public image as well as increase media coverage by supporting nonprofits through monetary donations, volunteerism, in-kind donations of products and services, and strong partnerships.

When companies show that they are dedicated to improving their communities through corporate giving programs like matching gifts, volunteer grants, they are more likely to attract and retain not only investors but likewise its valuable, hardworking, productive and engaged employees.

Nonprofit organizations can also benefit from having a corporate social responsibility by attracting donors and sponsors to fund their programs via matching gift programs, forging corporate partnerships engaging more committed volunteers and increasing membership.